Overview
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Japanese women and high-quality real-world data is crucial for understanding comparative effectiveness, unmet needs, and safety; however, many existing sources often lack clinical detail. This study examines treatment patterns in a cohort of patients with breast cancer in Japan, using the Japan Flatiron Health Research Database, derived from structured and unstructured data documented in electronic health records (EHR) during routine oncology care in Japan, and curated through technology-enabled abstraction with comprehensive quality verification processes.
By analyzing data from 1,862 patients, the study provides insight into treatment patterns for patients with breast cancer, contextualized by menopausal and biomarker status. The research highlights treatment alignment with local clinical guidelines, however, prompts the consideration of treatment variation based on patient profiles in future research to inform personalized breast cancer care.
Why this matters
This research fills critical gaps in existing breast cancer data by offering a detailed view of real-world treatment patterns in Japan. The ability to harmonize this dataset with international counterparts from the US, UK, and Germany allows for a global perspective on breast cancer management. Such comprehensive data supports the development of personalized treatment strategies and highlights areas for improvement in clinical practice and paves the way for more effective interventions worldwide.